SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1145

“Uzzah”

…Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. – 1 Chronicles 13:9-10

Have you ever read this passage and wondered: ‘Why, God? Uzzah was only trying to help.’

The fact remains that Uzzah knew better. In fact, David and the entire company knew better. They were all acting in disobedience and disrespect toward the holiness of Almighty God. God made His point with Uzzah and the Israelites regrouped to move the Ark in accordance with the Law and with a renewed reverence for the holiness of God.

Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” – 1 Chronicles 15:13

Note that the Philistines were not struck down when they put the Ark on the cart in the first place before sending it back to Israel. Note also that the Lord struck the people of Beth-shemesh when it arrived there because they looked inside the Ark.

Now He fatally struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the Lord. … – 1 Samuel 6:19 (NASB)

The Philistines had no knowledge of the significance of the Ark of the Covenant, yet the Israelites did and were held accountable for their knowledge. God holds us accountable for our actions and behavior in light of our knowledge of Him.

…Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. – Luke 12:48

Only God is holy. God is separate from all sin. His nature and character is morally perfect. The fear of the Lord is that of reverential awe for those who know Him.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; – Proverbs 1:7

Why, then do we act like irreverent fools referring to God as ‘The big guy’ or ‘the man upstairs’? Why do we use His Name in vain, spouting off ‘G-D’ and ‘J-C’ in rants of rage? Even the generic versions such as ‘Gol darn’ and Jesum Crow’ cross the line and border on irreverence.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. – Psalm 29:2– Hebrews 12:28-29

May the Holy Spirit kindle a right spirit in you of reverence and awe for the holiness of God. May every aspect of your life – what you say and do – be acceptable worship of Him.

There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, – 1 Samuel 2:2 – 1 Peter 1:15 – Deuteronomy 10:12